Neil Aspin has brought in two new players to increase his options in Port Vale's midfield.

Ben Whitfield, who left Bournemouth earlier this month, has joined on a two-year contract as a free agent.

The 22-year-old had been a popular loan signing last season and almost joined for £30,000 in January. His future has been up in the air all summer but he had a full pre-season with Bournemouth and, having changed his agent, is fit to feature.

Blackburn Rovers under-23s captain Lewis Hardcastle, aged 20, has also joined on a season-long loan.

Read More

Aspin said: “We’ve obviously had numerous discussions about Ben and my position has never changed. The Ben Whitfield that played when I joined and certainly through December played very well, was an asset to the team and worked exceptionally hard and was getting a lot of attention because of his performances on the pitch.

“Following the discussions we had trying to sign him with his agent. He was never the same player. I was disappointed with what had gone on and didn’t want to speak to him to be honest – I haven’t spoken to his agent.

“He’s changed his agent now and in football and in life you’ve got to give people another chance.”

Harcastle, box-to-box midfielder, has previously had a spell with Salford City and joins to add new energy to the department, with Manny Oyeleke and Tom Conlon both not expected to be fit in time to face Newport County on Saturday.

Read More

Aspin said: “He’s a player I watched when he went on loan to Salford as a young lad and he’s someone I kept an eye on. It was mainly the fact that especially in last Saturday’s game, with the two injuries we had to midfield players, and not having any younger legs in there, I felt we had to get someone who is obviously untried but would be a different type.